Tri-Service

SAS Iranian Embassy Siege Hero To Sell Medals

An SAS soldier, who stormed the Iranian Embassy in 1980 to rescue hostages being held by gunmen, has put his medals up for sale.

Bob Curry, then 27, was one of the first SAS members to force his way into the Kensington building where 26 hostages were being held, using a sledgehammer to smash through a window after an explosive had failed to go off.

He kicked the charge out of the way, despite the risk that the device could still explode, before smashing the window and climbing inside.

More from Forces TV on the SAS...

He and four more special forces soldiers then proceeded to clear the ground floor and cellar.

Another team, meanwhile, famously abseiled down the front of the building in front of the world's media before entering through a second-floor window.

Have a look below at Thames News' contemporary coverage of the rescue operation:

Ultimately all but one of the hostages remaining in the building was saved, with five of the six terrorists killed.

Whilst one SAS member and four others were awarded medals because of their role in the day's events, Curry was not recognised.

It's his campaign medals for his service in Northern Ireland and the Falklands War, therefore, that are going up for sale, along with his SAS beret, belt and winged badge, as well as memorabilia from his career.

South Atlantic campaign medals like those awarded to Curry for his service in the Falklands War

It's hoped they'll fetch £25,000 when they go under the hammer at a London auctioneer.

Curry, now 62, said he decided to sell his medals and memorabilia so they could be enjoyed by collectors:

"I am knocking on a bit now and you never know what life has in store.

"What happens to the medals and memorabilia after I am gone? Do they end up in some junk shop? I would rather they went to someone who appreciates them."

Pierce Noonan, director of auction house Dix Noonan Webb, said: "Bob Curry was one of an elite team of men who carried out an operation that epitomised the SAS motto 'Who Dares Wins'.

"This small group of highly-trained soldiers was responsible for quite literally exploding the SAS into the modern era.

"The operation was more than just a spectacular military success - it was played out live on television, something that had never happened before, leaving a whole nation glued to their television screens.

"Prior to the events of that day few of that generation would have been aware of the existence of the Special Air Service - by the following day everyone had heard of them and they were the envy of the world."

Cover photo courtesy of Steve White via Wikimedia Commons